Summary:
Middle Schools in zip code 35228 include two schools serving grades 5-8 or 6-8 in the Birmingham, Alabama area, both of which rank in the bottom 15% of the state and serve predominantly low-income student populations.
For parents comparing the two schools, Green Acres Middle School in the Birmingham City district is the higher-performing option, ranking in the 13th percentile statewide (387th out of 443) for 2025-2026. It outperforms Rutledge School in the Midfield City district (10th percentile, 400th out of 443) in nearly every subject and grade level. For example, in 6th-grade math, Green Acres posts 10.98% proficiency versus Rutledge's 15.63%, but Green Acres pulls ahead in 8th-grade math (5.32% vs. 2.99%). English is a relative strength at both schools, with Green Acres' 6th-grade English proficiency (37.8%) more than triple its math score. Both schools have similar enrollment (309 vs. 288 students), low chronic absenteeism (2.8% and 2.7%, far better than the 12% state average), and high poverty rates (84.47% and 90.28% free/reduced lunch).
Key takeaways for families: Rutledge shows a troubling decline in math proficiency as students advance—5th-grade math proficiency of 16.39% in 2024-2025 dropped to 0% by 8th grade—while Green Acres shows a less severe drop-off. Both schools spend well above the national average per student ($14,583 and $13,639) yet achieve low outcomes, suggesting funds may need to be redirected toward targeted math interventions. On a positive note, both schools have shown slight ranking improvements over three years, and their excellent attendance rates indicate strong student and family engagement despite economic challenges.
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